"UFO" sightings across Sussex (From The Argus)
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"UFO" sightings across Sussex
11:00am Monday 8th June 2009 in
Bright lights in the skies over Sussex have prompted a raft of reports of UFOs.
Dozens of people have seen the flaming orbs floating overhead in the past two weeks.
The strange sight has led to numerous calls to the police and to The Argus.
But the spotters are clearly divided into two camps.
On one side are those who cannot explain what they saw and who believe the fiery phenomenon could be proof of alien life visiting our planet.
But for others there is a more down to earth explanation – they are simply Chinese lanterns.
The paper balloons containing a tea-light candle are often blamed for UFO sightings.
The heat from the candle gives the lantern lift and sends it soaring into the sky.
Michael Ward-Sale, of St John's Terrace in Lewes, was so alarmed when he saw seven of the strange glowing lights from his window on Saturday that he dialled 999.
He said: “I couldn't believe what I was seeing.
“I saw five at first, they were flying in formation and travelling south west.
“Then another two appeared. I called to my wife to come and look and then decided to phone the police but they didn't seem terribly interested.
“I said to them, 'I'm not drunk'.”
Mr Ward-Sale said he knew about Chinese lanterns as a friend had launched one from his garden on Bonfire Night.
But he said: “I didn't think they could be Chinese lanterns because they were so bright and they were about a mile away if not more.
“Chinese lanterns don't give out much light and these were glowing much too brightly.”
Several other people also called The Argus to report seeing the UFOs.
But Anna Williams from Hove said she had seen people letting off about 15 Chinese lanterns from the West Pier earlier that week and was adamant that these and others set off subsequently were to blame for the sightings.
She said: “I've seen them set off so many times before and they always end up with people saying they are UFOs.
“I think it is worth keeping your eyes open for objects in the sky but if they are orange and glowing then they are probably going to be Chinese lanterns.”
Where do you stand on the debate? Tell us below.
Comments(24)
Supaseagull
says...
11:45am Mon 8 Jun 09
BBBrighton wrote:BBBrighton, whilst I agree with your sentiments, the Argus is reporting on local issues. The BNP did not win any seats in the South East so why should they write an article about it?
They are chinease lanterns and people are only reporting this after seeing 'signs' on tele the other night. The Argus needs to stop these stories, the racist BNP have won two seats at the European elections, this should be newsworthy, not some tedious rubbish. p.s WHY would you EVER call 999 because you saw some lights in the sky, its quite clear it wasnt a plane crash, DONT WASTE the emergency services time. Idiots.
PB
says...
12:09pm Mon 8 Jun 09
BBBrighton wrote:The BNP won its two seats in the North. That place where they keep coal in the bath and wear flat caps and keep whippets. No concern of ours really.
They are chinease lanterns and people are only reporting this after seeing 'signs' on tele the other night. The Argus needs to stop these stories, the racist BNP have won two seats at the European elections, this should be newsworthy, not some tedious rubbish. p.s WHY would you EVER call 999 because you saw some lights in the sky, its quite clear it wasnt a plane crash, DONT WASTE the emergency services time. Idiots.
jonathon
says...
12:15pm Mon 8 Jun 09
pyrococcal
says...
12:20pm Mon 8 Jun 09
Security word: HUSH-MENS
censored
says...
12:36pm Mon 8 Jun 09
Wivvy Dave
says...
12:40pm Mon 8 Jun 09
Cherry Pie
says...
12:42pm Mon 8 Jun 09
They are NOT UFOs, you fools. Of course they're not. Whatever happened to being rational?
Mr Ward-Sale should have been charged with wasting police time, downright stupid to call them over this.
Don't get me wrong, I think there could be something out there, but I very much doubt that this is it!
Rod Stewart
says...
1:23pm Mon 8 Jun 09
Conor
says...
2:00pm Mon 8 Jun 09
"Floating Lanterns
Bulk Buy Floating Lanterns In stock. From 20% off!"
PETE OF QUEENS PARK
says...
2:30pm Mon 8 Jun 09
Conor
says...
2:46pm Mon 8 Jun 09
Conor wrote:Three Google ads now. It's a vicious circle.
Love the Google ad!
"Floating Lanterns
Bulk Buy Floating Lanterns In stock. From 20% off!"
The more Google ads, the more lanterns sold.
The more lanterns sold, the more UFO stories.
The more UFO sories, the more silly Argus stories.
The nor Argus stories, the more Chinese lantern Google ads.
Brigadier Monty
says...
3:26pm Mon 8 Jun 09
Conor
says...
3:31pm Mon 8 Jun 09
Brigadier Monty wrote:We'll have it next freaking week too.
We had this story last freaking week
And as it's only Monday, there's ample time for a repeat this week as well.
:-(
Brigadier Monty
says...
6:13pm Mon 8 Jun 09
Conor wrote:Yep, lots of UFO's then up in the skies, how wonderous. I've often looked up at the sky whilst drunk and wondered if anyone wants to visit our planet. I can't see why they would really, it's a bit mental at the moment.
Brigadier Monty wrote:We'll have it next freaking week too.
We had this story last freaking week
And as it's only Monday, there's ample time for a repeat this week as well.
:-(
yorkie44
says...
8:42pm Mon 8 Jun 09
Dave At Home
says...
9:28pm Mon 8 Jun 09
Time waster and the Argus for reporting it...
Laug
says...
10:01pm Mon 8 Jun 09
Guerrero
says...
10:28pm Mon 8 Jun 09
horace morris
says...
10:44pm Mon 8 Jun 09
PB wrote:What a small mind you must have p.b.!
BBBrighton wrote: They are chinease lanterns and people are only reporting this after seeing 'signs' on tele the other night. The Argus needs to stop these stories, the racist BNP have won two seats at the European elections, this should be newsworthy, not some tedious rubbish. p.s WHY would you EVER call 999 because you saw some lights in the sky, its quite clear it wasnt a plane crash, DONT WASTE the emergency services time. Idiots.The BNP won its two seats in the North. That place where they keep coal in the bath and wear flat caps and keep whippets. No concern of ours really.
Obviously you've never travelled beyond the reaches of your hilbilly roots, maybe you'd miss your mom/sister/auntie too much!
{ all those are the same lady by the way} for anyone not conversant with the ways of stenning inbreds!
johnmil
says...
11:22am Tue 9 Jun 09
Maybe we should phone the HM Customs border police!
Seriously, I think the effort would be best spent in making a phone call to the RAF and getting a couple of jets scrambled to intercept them and ask their intentions. We could also put a fleet of nuclear subs on standby. Wouldn't cost much!
Maybe now we have a couple of BNP members in European Parliament, we could get the use of lanterns banned in this country, then we wouldn't have the strange sightings - UNLESS THERE REALLY IS LIFE OUT THERE!!....
BBBrighton
says...
12:25pm Tue 9 Jun 09
place your bets here now.
I think that there could be more interesting and relevant stories. The Argus/Sussex police should also be repremanding people who are wasting vital contact centre resources.
Ilya Stavinsky
says...
9:50pm Tue 9 Jun 09
sky as I described in my article "Aleins live in our Earth's atmosphere" sites.google.com/sit
e/socialcapital1/Hom
e
please contact me to arrange meeting ( Manhattan NYC or Park Ridge,NJ). It is better to see AFOs with your own eyes and after that to make your own judgement. From 1963 - 1967 I served in the Russian Navy (Pacific Ocean) on the scientific top secret ship "Sakhalin", that provided technical support for satellites and experimental rockets, as radar station operator.
Sincerely
Ilya
GreenGiant
says...
3:56pm Wed 10 Jun 09
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BBBrighton says...
11:09am Mon 8 Jun 09
The Argus needs to stop these stories, the racist BNP have won two seats at the European elections, this should be newsworthy, not some tedious rubbish.
p.s WHY would you EVER call 999 because you saw some lights in the sky, its quite clear it wasnt a plane crash, DONT WASTE the emergency services time. Idiots.